Study on the selection of the number of magnetic poles and the slot-pole combinations in fractional slot PMSM motor with a high power density

Abstract

Fractional slot, PMSM motors with a properly designed electromagnetic circuit allow for obtaining high power density factors (more than 4 kW per 1 kg of total motor weight). The selection of the number of magnetic poles to the specific dimensions and operating conditions of the motor, as well as the number of slots for the selected number of magnetic poles is the subject of the analysis in this article. This issue is extremely important because it affects the mass of the motor, the value of shaft torque, shaft power and the value of rotor losses. The aim of the work is to select solutions with the highest values of power density factor and, at the same time, the lowest values of rotor losses. The object of the study is a fractional slot PMSM motor with an external solid rotor core with surface permanent magnets (SPM). Motor weight is approximately 10 kg, outer diameter is 200 mm and a maximum power is 50 kW at 4800 r/min. The article analyzes the selection of magnetic poles in the range from 2p = 12 to 2p = 24 and various slot-pole combinations for individual magnetic poles. The target function of the objective was achieved and the calculations results were verified on the physical model. The best solutions were 20-pole, 30-slots (highest efficiency and lowest rotor loss) and 24-pole, 27 slots (highest power density).